Tens of Thousands Fill the Streets... Is the Nightmare of Itaewon 'Club-Origin Cluster Infection' Repeating?

Tens of Thousands Gather in Busy Districts for Halloween Celebration
Vaccination Rate Exceeds 70%, but Concerns Over Variables Like 'Breakthrough Infections'
Health Authorities Plan Focused Inspections in Entertainment and Busy Areas

The crowd gathered on Itaewon Street in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on October 31, Halloween Day. Photo by Yoon Seulgi seul97@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] On October 31, the day before the implementation of With Corona (gradual return to normal life), tens of thousands of people gathered in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul's representative entertainment district, raising concerns about mass infections. Although the vaccination rate has surpassed 70%, variables such as breakthrough infections still remain. There is also anxiety that a situation similar to the "Itaewon club-related mass infection" that swept the nation in May last year could be repeated.

◆Tens of thousands in Itaewon alone... Social distancing disappeared

According to the police, it is estimated that 40,000 people gathered in Itaewon on that day alone. On the previous day (October 30), the Halloween Eve, nearly 80,000 people, including foreigners, were densely packed in major streets of Itaewon.

This Halloween day was technically before the With Corona policy, so businesses such as restaurants were required to close by 10 p.m. However, many citizens reportedly roamed the streets past midnight.

Photos shared on social networking services (SNS) and internet communities also conveyed the chaos in Itaewon at the time. People filled the narrow streets shoulder to shoulder, and some were seen walking along the streets smoking cigarettes without masks, which sparked controversy. There were also citizens dancing to music coming from clubs and pubs.

◆Concerns over nightmare of 'club-related mass infection' repeating if chain infections are not contained

Given the situation, some worry that the "Itaewon club-related mass infection" incident from May last year might be repeated ahead of With Corona. The incubation period of COVID-19 is generally known to be about 1 to 2 weeks. If those who participated in the Halloween event do not get tested and spread the virus nationwide, chain infections could quickly follow.

Last May, following the COVID-19 cluster infection outbreak originating from Itaewon clubs, the Seoul Metropolitan Government issued a gathering ban order for all entertainment facilities in the city. / Photo by Yonhap News

The club-related mass infection occurred in a similar manner. The infection that started at a club in Itaewon spread nationwide through carriers, and as local governments strengthened quarantine guidelines, self-employed people and small business owners suffered significant damage.

Despite the high vaccination rate, anxiety remains. According to the quarantine authorities, as of midnight on October 31, the COVID-19 full vaccination rate was 75%, and the first dose vaccination rate was 80.1%. However, more than 10 million people remain unvaccinated and unprotected from the virus. There are also other variables such as breakthrough infections caused by virus mutations.

◆Quarantine authorities: "Focused inspections on domestic entertainment and nightlife districts"

The government and Seoul city are closely monitoring the situation and intend to prevent the spread of infections.

Seoul city plans to conduct joint inspections and crackdowns with 12 related agencies, including the police, until November 2, the end of the Halloween week. The police have already announced that as of October 29, 7 cases and a total of 272 people were caught violating quarantine rules in Seoul alone.

The quarantine authorities also plan to focus on managing areas crowded during the event period. Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, emphasized at a regular briefing on October 27, "During the Halloween period, we will focus inspections on domestic entertainment and nightlife districts where many events take place. Foreign-dense areas tend to enjoy and embrace this culture more, so we will focus on these areas."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.